Pro-Reform Iranian Daily Newspaper Suspended

A pro-reform Iranian daily newspaper, “Ruzan,” has been suspended by an order from the prosecutor office in Tehran.

The reason for the move has not been announced publicly.

The newspaper's editor-in-chief was quoted by the official IRNA news agency as saying that the suspension is likely related to the December 20th edition that featured a front-page story about dissident Ayatollah Montazeri, who died five years ago.

The newspaper’s editor also said Iran's Culture Ministry did not agree with the suspension.

Scores of reformist and independent publications have been shut down in Iran in past years.

Reporters Without Borders, the media freedom group, ranks Iran as one of the least free countries for journalists in the world.

With additional reporting by IRNA

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